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McGuire Air Force Base who supported Robert C. Williamson, USN, commander, Carrier IFOR troops in Bosnia and evacuation airlifts Group 2; and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New in . There are Coast Guardsmen and York City and his wife, Donna. women from Governors Island who rescued thousands of Haitians and Cubans seeking Remarks on Receiving the U.S.S. refuge on dangerous waters. There are Ma- Intrepid Freedom Award in New rines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, York City who, not shyly, recently returned from Trini- dad and Honduras, where they helped to May 22, 1996 build schools and barracks. And there are cit- To tell you the truth, Zack, I thought it izen soldiers here from New York State who was a pretty good speech when you stopped. answered the call to action in the wake of [Laughter] recent snowstorms, floods, and fires. Mayor and Mrs. Giuliani, and members of I want all of you to know that America your family—and I especially want to ac- is proud of each and every one of you, grate- knowledge the fact that in the Second World ful for all that you do. Your example explains War the mayor’s father-in-law served here on why people around the world look to us for the Intrepid and was a Navy man for 25 help and for inspiration. years. He and his wife are here. Secretary I also want to say a special word of thanks and Mrs. Dalton, Paul Tudor Jones, and Max to those who are here from other nations, Chapman, Admiral Johnson, Admiral Flana- for our partnership with our allies have pro- gan, Admiral Williamson; to all the distin- vided us for some of the most important op- guished friends of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space portunities we have had in recent years to Museum who are here and who share this advance America’s cause. podium with me; and members of our Armed Let me say that I know the last few days Forces and our allied forces in , Mex- have not been easy for our Armed Forces, ico, and Great Britain. And let me say, as and especially for the Navy. an old musician, I want to especially thank We lost a great leader and friend in Admiral the Royal Marine Band from the United Boorda, but as we honor his service to our Kingdom. I thought they were quite wonder- Nation, I ask you to be proud of your own ful. Thank you. There was a time in my life achievements as well. You are members of when I had committed to memory almost the world’s greatest military, whose values of every important piece of British band music honor, resolve, and integrity America re- in the last 50 years, and so I am delighted spects so deeply. You protect our Nation on to hear it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. land, at sea, and in the skies; you project our I thank the United States Marine Corps strength and our values around the world. Honor Guard and the Joint Armed Color You stepped forward to serve your country. Team. And I want to thank all of you for You do so with courage, commitment, and being here today and for your support of the compassion every time America calls. We are Intrepid and your support of our Armed grateful to you, and grateful that you are the Forces. best trained, best equipped, best prepared I am honored to receive this 1996 Intrepid fighting force on Earth. As long as I am your Freedom Award; especially pleased to re- commander in chief, not only our gratitude, ceive it in the company of two of the best but the reality of that statement will remain friends of freedom this country ever had, intact. Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher. And I thank Your country and I thank you for every- them more than I can say. thing you do. You have earned a week of Just a little over a year ago it was my privi- celebration and now, liberty call. Thank you. lege to present Zachary Fisher with the President’s Citizens Medal. It was a great NOTE: The President spoke at 3:25 p.m. on the flight deck. In his remarks, he referred to Larry honor for me because of all the remarkable Sowinski, executive director, Intrepid Sea-Air- things that he has done. Most of you know Space Museum; Adm. W.J. Flanagan, Jr., USN, what the Fishers have done for their ex- commander in chief, Atlantic Fleet; Rear Adm. tended family, the 2.6 million men and

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women of our Armed Forces and their loved given abilities in peace. But it’s good that ones. From the Fisher House program that they learn these tales of duty and devotion provides a home away from home, to the because it’s up to them to build a future wor- families of hospitalized military personnel, to thy of the sacrifice that we honor here. the Armed Forces Scholarship Foundation Ladies and gentlemen, today I have re- that has allowed hundreds of servicemen and ceived this fine award for contributing to the women to attend college, few have done preservation of freedom and democracy. For more for those who dedicate their lives to a citizen of the United States to become defending our freedom. So we thank them President is something no citizen can ever for their shining service to America. truly deserve. And in that sense, no award Yesterday in Washington in our Navy’s flowing from the service of a President can hour of need, Zachary Fisher was there ever be deserved. So if you allow me, I can again. When I escorted Bettie Boorda out only accept it with pride on behalf of my fel- into the National Cathedral, he was there to low Americans, and especially those in the sit beside her during that profoundly moving Armed Services and the diplomatic corps but difficult memorial service as we cele- who have made our Nation the greatest force brated the life of Admiral Mike Boorda. for peace and freedom and prosperity, and Mike Boorda will be remembered as the for the citizens who continue to support first enlisted man who ever became the Chief America’s leadership throughout the world. of Naval Operations. More than that, I think I was especially grateful for what Mr. Fish- the men and women of the Navy knew that er said about that because in the aftermath he was not only once an enlisted man, in his of the cold war, with so many pressing meas- heart he always was. He never forgot that ures here at home, it would be easy for the he was their man. I saw it in the tears that United States to turn away from its respon- they shed yesterday by the hundreds in the sibilities around the world. But citizens like cathedral. But if he were here today, he Zachary Fisher and so many of you under- would flash his famous smile and tell a few stand the great lesson of the past 50 years. sea stories and say to us, ‘‘This is still the It is that what we now see as a global trend greatest Navy in the world. America needs toward freedom and democracy is neither in- you to be the best you can be. Carry on.’’ evitable nor irreversible. This trend must Because of that spirit of ‘‘carry on,’’ he have America’s support. It must have the would also be grateful, as I am, for the gener- power of our example. On occasion, it must osity and devotion that so many of you here have the example of our power. Always it today have shown when you have helped to must have the leadership of the United transform this veteran of America’s triumph States. over tyranny into a truly glorious sea-air- Earlier today I had the honor of presiding space museum. Indeed, I was out there look- over the commencement for some of Ameri- ing at the exhibits, and I was afraid I would ca’s newest leaders for freedom, the Coast miss my entrance. If it hadn’t been for ‘‘Ruf- Guard Academy’s class of 1996. I spoke to fles and Flourishes,’’ I don’t think I would them about the challenges we face as we have—[laughter]—I’d still be out there look- enter the 21st century, and especially the ing at the planes somewhere. challenge to advance the fight for peace and For thousands and thousands of people freedom. every day, this wonderful old carrier brings Nothing will strengthen our security more to life our Nation’s proud military history. in the long run than advancing the cause of It also reminds us of all of those who came peace and freedom throughout the world. before us, of what they gave and what they When people live free and at peace, they are lost to keep America free and secure. I know less likely to resort to violence to settle their it is our most fervent wish that the young problems or to abuse the rights of their fel- people who come here to visit the Intrepid low citizens. They are more likely to join with will never have to face the horrors of war, us to conquer our common challenges from that instead they’ll have the chance to make old threats like ethnic and religious hatreds the most of their freedom and their God- that are taking on new and dangerous dimen-

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sions, to new threats like the spread of weap- raelis and the Palestinians. If takes fur- ons of mass destruction, terrorism, drug traf- ther risks for peace, the United States must ficking, international organized crime. be willing to have further measures of sup- I am proud that America has stood with port to deal with those risks and minimize those taking risks for democracy and peace. them. We have been there every step of the Because we are, the dictators are gone in way. If you want to see peace in the Middle Haiti, democracy is back, and the flow of des- East in our lifetime, we must stay there every perate to our shores has ended. Be- step of the way. cause we are, snipers’ killing fields in Bosnia Ladies and gentlemen, because of the acci- have once again become the children’s play- dents and the design of history, at this par- ing fields. Because we are, the sound of car ticular moment our Nation has more ability bombs in Northern Ireland is giving way to than any other to help people throughout the the quiet sounds of children living out nor- world embrace a future of hope. As I told mal lives. And because we are, in the Middle our cadets today, as I travel on behalf of the East, Arabs and Jews who once seemed des- United States beyond our borders, I see peo- tined to fight forever now are sharing their ple who look to us not primarily because of knowledge, their resources, and their our size and our strength, but mostly because dreams. of what we stand for and what we stand Just 11 days before he was assassinated last against. If we continue to make good on their year, my good friend Yitzhak Rabin stood on trust, we can build an even greater future this very stage to accept this very same of peace and freedom and democracy. And award. I thank you for giving it to him. He it will be good for the American people. surely deserved it. And I can’t tell you how In the next few years the way we work moved I am to follow in his footsteps. with other countries, the work we do, and The first time I met Prime Minister Rabin whether we succeed will determine in very after I was elected President, I told him that large measure what the world looks like for if Israel would take risks for peace, America our children and our grandchildren. We have would do everything in its power to minimize a chance to leave a legacy of peace and free- those risks. Well, Israel has, and we have dom, of liberty and prosperity. We have to done our part. In a time of shrinking re- know what to do and what not to do. We sources, we’ve kept up our economic assist- can’t be the world’s policeman, but we can’t ance. We’ve worked not just to maintain Isra- try to build a wall around America’s good el’s security, but to enhance it by making sure fortune. That is a destiny we must share with Israel’s qualitative military edge is greater freedom-loving people throughout the world. than ever. We’ve built a bond of trust with So I thank you for this award, not because Israel and its people that has given it the con- of anything it says about me, but because of fidence necessary to make peace. everything it says about America. And I will Now we all know the risks that Prime Min- do my best to uphold America’s ideals, to ister Rabin took for peace and the price he keep our Nation free and strong, to keep it paid for his vision. We know, too, that with a force for peace and progress, to keep it every step along the path to peace in the a land of opportunity and tolerance for all. Middle East, its enemies grow more des- Thank you very much, and God bless perate with bullets and bombs. So let me say America. again today, in honor of the person who last stood in this place to accept this award, and NOTE: The President spoke at 4:21 p.m. in the of his friendship to me and the bonds be- hangar deck. In his remarks, he referred to tween our people and the peace-loving Arab Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, cofounders of the people of the Middle East: We have sup- Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum; Robert Kosnovec, Mayor Giuliani’s father-in-law, and his ported the peace process. We have kept our wife, Gwen; Margaret Dalton, wife of Secretary commitment to minimize the risks that Israel of the Navy John Dalton; Paul Tudor Jones, chair- has taken for peace. But the work is not done. man, Tudor Investment Corp.; Max Chapman, Hard work remains with Syria, with Leb- chairman, Fleet Week ’96; and former Prime Min- anon, outstanding questions between the Is- ister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel.

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Message to the Congress of American businesses. I hope Senator Dole Transmitting the Report of the will join me in opposing this extreme meas- National Science Foundation ure. We must not tolerate sweatshops and a repeal of wage protections for millions of May 22, 1996 Americans as a condition of assuring a living To the Congress of the United States: wage for some workers. As required by the provisions of section Let me be clear: Eliminating the minimum 3(f) of the National Science Foundation Act wage is no way to raise it. If Congress sends of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1862(f)), I me a bill to eliminate the minimum wage transmit herewith the combined annual re- and wage protection for millions of workers, ports of the National Science Foundation for I will veto it. Speaker Gingrich and majority fiscal years 1994 and 1995. leader Dole should allow an honest up-or- down vote on the minimum wage. William J. Clinton The White House, May 22, 1996. Remarks at a Democratic Dinner in Stamford, Connecticut Message to the Congress May 22, 1996 Transmitting the Report of the Thank you very much. Well, ladies and Commodity Credit Corporation gentlemen, now that all these other fine peo- May 22, 1996 ple have spoken and told you every good thing about our record, I ought to quit while To the Congress of the United States: I’m ahead. [Laughter] But I won’t. And be- In accordance with the provisions of sec- sides that, we can’t. tion 13, Public Law 806, 80th Congress (15 I want to thank Senator Dodd for his re- U.S.C. 714k), I transmit herewith the report marks and his remarkable leadership and his of the Commodity Credit Corporation for fis- personal friendship and his willingness to cal year 1994. take a leap into the unknown when I asked William J. Clinton him to do this job after our setback in the The White House, campaign of 1994. It looked like a job with May 22, 1996. a lot of downside and not much upside. It could cause him grief at home and not help him abroad. And he did it anyway, because Statement on the Minimum Wage he believed it was the right thing to do. He’s May 22, 1996 done it superbly, and every person in Con- necticut should be very, very proud of him. An increase in the minimum wage would I also want to assure you that that little honor our values: work, family, responsibility, riff he went through about you can always and opportunity. You cannot raise a family move the capital to Hartford and make the on $4.25 an hour. Over the years, both par- Seawolf the national fish and the Comanche ties have worked together to ensure that the the national bird and all that, you know, be- minimum wage keeps up with the cost of liv- lieve it or not, he does that in private when ing. To continue that commitment to work- nobody is looking. [Laughter] The first time ing families, I have challenged Congress to he did it in private I didn’t think it was very raise the minimum wage by 90 cents. It is funny; it’s a lot more funny in a crowd. clear that a bipartisan majority of the House [Laughter] I think if things get any tighter of Representatives stands ready to pass this he’ll just buy me a couple of pets and call increase. them Seawolves and Comanches so I’ll never But the House leadership is today propos- be able to forget it. [Laughter] ing a giant fraud on the American people. I want to thank Senator Lieberman, who’s Their legislation will eliminate the minimum been my friend for more than 25 years now, wage for all workers hired by fully two-thirds for his leadership in Connecticut and leader-

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